Judge to reopen immigration case of spouse of fallen soldier

PHOENIX – A Phoenix immigration judge will reopen the case of a deported man who was living in the country illegally.

The Arizona Republic reports lawyer Ezequiel Hernandez learned Thursday that Judge Silvia Arrellano had granted a motion to reopen the immigration case of Jose Arturo Gonzalez Carranza, the spouse of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Hernandez, who represents Gonzalez Carranza, says ICE prosecutors did not oppose his motion. ICE officials declined comment.

A judge earlier this month ordered Gonzalez Carranza deported for failing to attend a court hearing. Hernandez claims Gonzalez Carranza was not aware of the hearing until April 8, when federal immigration officers arrested him. He was deported to Mexico three days later.

Gonzalez Carranza was married to Army Pfc. Barbara Vieyra, who was killed in 2010 in Afghanistan.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com